Hedge-trimmer



(No Model.) Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

` Gr. REED, J1.

y HEDGE TRIMMBR.

No. 260,606* l Patented July 4, 1882,

Mff'fiff. l l n M @f/fw,

(No Model.) 3.Sheets-`Sheet 3.

, G. REED, Jr.

HBDGB TRIMMBR.' No. 260,606. Patented July 4, L1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GEORGE REED, JR., OF 'FREMONTQ OHIO.-

HEDQE-TRIMMER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,606, dated J'uly 4, S1882.

Application filed April 24, 1882. (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEO. REED, Jr., of Fremont, in the county of Sandusky and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hedge-Trimmers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for trimming hedges; and it consists inthe combination of an operating mechanism, standards secured upon the top of the frame, a vertically-adjustable frame,'a hinged cutterbar, and a brace which supports the outer end of the cutter-bar in position, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which has two cutters working at right angles to each other, so as to trim the top and the side of the hedge at the same time, and in which the parts are so construct-A ed that the horizontal cutter can be adjusted vertically and both cutters used together. orV

only one at a time.

Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations of my invention,taken from opposite sides. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is an inverted view. Fig. 5 is a view taken from the rear.

A represents a suitable-frame, which is supported upon the two driving-wheels B." Each of these wheels B has an internal circular. rack, C, applied to its inner side, and with which the pinions D, provided with spring-pawls and ratchets, gear.l These pinions are placed upon the ends of the shaft D, which ext-ends across the under side of the frame, and which shaft has secured to it thebeveled drivingwheel E. With this wheel E meshes the pinion F, placed upon the front end of the shaft G, whichoperates the vertical cutter H. Upon the rear end of this shaft is secured the crank-wheel I, to which is connected the connecting-rod J, which has its outer end fastened to the sliding sleeve K, which is placed upon the inclined guide L, which is secured to the rear inner end of the drag-bar. Fastened to the upper side of this sliding sleeve is the connectingrod M,which has' its upper end connected directly with the vertical cutter H. When the large wheel placed upon the shaft D is thrown in gear with the shaft by means of the clutch which is placed thereon, and the .shaft made to revolve by the pinions on its ends, this vertical cutter H is operated so as to cut away the side of the hedge. This cutter-bar is similar to the one generally used on reapers, and is supported by the drag-bar N, which is swiveled to the under side of the frame A at its inner end and by the brace P,

lwhich extends fromlthe top of the frame, and

which has its upper end secured to the rear edge of the cutter-bar. By disconnecting the sleeve which moves back and forth on the inclined guide this vertical cutter can be thrown out of gear at any-time, so that it will not operate. Also meshing with the wheel E of the shaft D is the pinion Q, which is secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft B. This shaft is groovedat its" upper end, so that the pinion S, which is placed thereon, can be moved freely up and d own upon the shaft without in any way interfering with its revolutions. Rising above the top of the frame A in any suitable relation tothis grooved shaft are the four standards T, upon which is placed the vertically-sliding frame U, which can be secured at any height upon the standards T by means of set-screws or other suitable devices. Upon the top of this vertical adjustable frame are secured suitable bearings for the shaft V, which has the pinion W upon one end and the crank-wheel X\upon the other.

From the crank-wheel X extends the connecting-rod Y, which is connected at its outer end with the cutter Z. The cutter-bar l of the cutter Z is hinged at its inner end to the vertical adjustable frame, and is supported in position by means of the brace-rod 2, which is fastened to one of the standards T, at its lower' end, by means of a set-screw. By adjusting the lower end of this brace up or down upon the standard the cutter-bar'can be set at any desired angle, so as to cut away the top of the hedge at any inclination desired. As the machine is being driven along the driver can throw. the cutter in and out of gear by moving the lever 4, which is connected to the clutch which is placed upon the shaft D. By throwing this clutch in gear and locking the wheel IOO E to the shaft D, both cutter-bars will be serJ by means of the adjustable brace, ther parts in motion as the machine is drawn along. As being arranged to operate substantially as set before stated, only one cuttenbar may be used, forth.

if so desired. In testimony whereof I ax my signature in 5 Having thus described my invention, I presence of two witnesses.

daim- In a machine for trimming hedges, the eom- GEORGE REED JR' bination ofan operating mechanism, the stand ards T, and vertically-adjustable frame, the

:o hinged cutter-bar being supported in position Witnesses JOHN L. GREENE, F. OFARRELL. 

